The Sprout
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 136 April 2019
The Sprout
Issue 136, April 2019
Contents
3 Letters to the Editor
7 Community-led Housing
9 Climate Crisis – youth strikes
13 NHPC bows out
17 Brownies
19 Scouts and the new pavilion
25 Eynsham Bike Path sidelined
28 Annual Parish Meeting
31 Army Cadets
33 Musical Notes
35 Planning Applications
37 Roger Ainsworth
39 Nature Notes and Help with
Universal Credit
41 Randoms
43 Local Organizations
From the Editor
The Scouts and other youth organizations have lots to say in this
month’s Sprout. The Botley/Oxpens Army Cadets review last year’s fun
and games (p.31) the 2nd Oxford Brownies, endlessly exploring, take a
look at Prosthetics (p.17), and the 4th Oxford Scouts explain why they
won’t be supporting the Parish Council’s bid to replace our dingy
pavilion with a multi-use building (p.19). As well as planning the new
pavilion, the current council has quite a list of achievements to its
credit (p.13), and invited the public to comment at the Annual Parish
Meeting on 21st March (p.28). The April meeting will be their last, as a
new council will be elected in May. We hope to have photos of all the
prospective candidates in next month’s issue, but this will mean
publishing a week early, and working over Easter, so it will be a
challenge. If you intend to stand, please get in touch before 15th April.
The climate emergency has not gone away – Matthew Arnold students
give their take on it on page 9. It is disappointing, in this context, that
the Eynsham Bike Path, that was looking so hopeful, has hit a snag
(p.25) but on the plus side, the Community Land Trust has finally
submitted the planning application for their sustainable flats in Dean
Court (p.7). Another new initiative in the parish is Tap Social’s welcome
bid to enter the music scene (p.33) The view on the cover of the current
state of our shopping centre comes from Emmett Casley, whose terrific
exhibition is still available to see at Ss P&P Church until 26th April.
Ag MacKeith
Letters to the Editor
Hooray for Hedgehogs
In response to Elaine Sugden's query about where all the hedgehogs
have gone, I am pleased to report that we had one last summer who
visited our compost heap nightly on North Hinksey Lane [east of the
A34]. With bated breath we watched as it sped across the road each
night around 10 pm. I hadn't realised quite how quickly they moved!
Our neighbour across the road reported that they had seen it with its
young in their garden, so hopefully they will survive into adulthood to
help sustain the local population.
Kate Griffiths
I noted your piece about the dearth
of hedgehogs in Botley. We had a
regular visitor [in Montagu Road]
from December until January, very
well catered for but now
hibernating and much missed. We
named her Holly.
Bruce Gorrie
Disabled access
Mrs Kellner wrote an article in the December Sprout, reiterating the
commitment of the Howse family to Elms Parade and to the
community generally. Could I bring to her attention, via The Sprout, a
problem I have been trying for several years to have resolved?
The Dental Surgery on Elms Parade is up a steep flight of steps.
There is no disabled stair lift and there is only a banister on one side.
It’s very difficult for my wife to get in. The receptionist does always
ask if she can help her down the stairs, but I very much doubt she
could take her weight if she fell.
We would go elsewhere if we could, but as best I know there’s no
NHS dentist this side of Oxford with an accessible entrance.
One of the Howse family is a wheelchair user. How does he manage
the stairs? It’s high time this accessibility issue was addressed. Can
Mrs Kellner help to make it happen?
Alan Flockton
Water Flows
I have a suggestion about the unknown source of water in the nature
reserve ditch (February Sprout). Perhaps this is an answer –or
perhaps it has nothing to do with it. Anyway, I can tell you what I know,
which has beep passed to me through a couple of generations of my
family.
When the Howse family sold the fields to build Elms Rise Estate in
the years leading up to WW2, there was a panic that the bombing
might affect the water supply for the family farm [Elms Farm, roughly
where the Co-op is now]. So they held onto plots of land which had
natural water springs, and created a piped drainage system to bring
the water down to the farm in case their water supply was cut off.
Where these pipes come out, I don’t know, but I have the start of one
on my plot of land [by Cope Close]. Are there others on the estate?
I hope this may help you.
Andrew Burk
Briony and Botley Centre
Sprout readers will be amazed or appalled by Briony Newport’s letter
last month. So many of us tried time after time to get the Vale or its
management company to maintain the old shopping precinct as an
attractive local centre, to replace defunct lighting, clean the lights,
replace dangerous paving, and repair and paint those bits of the
structure which were literally falling down, thereby discouraging
graffiti and vandalism.
To discover that our Parish Council Chair and Vale Councillor decided
merely “to keep a low profile and see what happened” beggars belief.
If we don’t like the new Centre when it is finished, we now know why.
Andrew Pritchard
[There will be no further correspondence on this subject. Ed]
Community-Led Homes… the next step
Oxfordshire Community Land Trust is delighted to say we have now
submitted our planning application for the new flats in Dean Court.
The details are here: www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk. Search for
application P/19/V0424/FUL
Please let us know if you have any questions about this. It’s a very
exciting moment for us as we finally look forward to the next stage.
It’s also very important that we have as much support as possible
from local people for these flats: so if you support us, please write to
the planners saying as much. The flats will be genuinely and
permanently affordable, thus contributing to a more sustainable
community. They will be spacious, well-insulated and light.
They are relatively high density, in keeping with new developments,
and follow planning rules. This scheme will help reduce pressure for
development on precious green belt. The flats also bring the added
benefit of a car share scheme and will have fewer cars than a typical
development of this size.
It’s also time to start finding prospective tenants. Do you know anyone
who might be interested?
People who are interested in living there must
i. be registered on Vale’s Housing Register (www.whitehorse
homechoice.org.uk)
ii. have a strong local connection to the area of Cumnor Parish
iii. be interested in cooperating with other tenants to help run the
project as effectively as possible*.
If you know anyone who meets these criteria, ask them to get in touch.
Meantime we’d also like some local people from Dean Court to be
involved as the project develops. If you have any interest in working
with us on this, please get in touch. No previous skills required. Join
us if you want to help promote genuinely and permanently affordable
community-led housing. To get in touch please email:
info@oclt.org.uk or visit our website www.oclt.org.uk
* full training and support will be given to tenants to do this. Details
will be developed in collaboration with the successful tenants: it could
involve running the car share, ensuring the grounds and shared
spaces are well looked after, making sure the shared bins are put out.
It is not expected that tenants would undertake repairs or rent
collection. Fran Ryan
Climate Crisis – youth strikes
Over 1000 youths in Oxford and
1.5 million worldwide in a
staggering 125 countries.
Students across the globe are
standing together to protect our
futures, which governments are
overseeing.
To be part of a world-wide climate
protest is quite something; in
over 125 countries a million other
students just like us do really
care about the future. On Friday
March 15th we went on strike for
the second time, this time as part
of a global movement.
You might remember the last
strike when it was suggested that
we should stay in school to learn
about how we, as young people,
can become the future saviours of our world. But this is missing the
point. Our global strike is underlining the government negligence that
has put the future climate at the bottom of their priorities. The last
significant piece of Climate legislation was over a decade ago, and
while this was a step in the right direction the issue is simply not being
adequately addressed by the powers that be. In some parts of Oxford
there was an average of 61 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic
metre of air in 2016 – that’s over 50% above the EU’s safe limit.
Nitrogen dioxide is linked to cancer, asthma and heart problems on a
local level.
Our previous climate strike was broadly successful; both Oxford City
Council and the Vale of the White Horse District Council have since
declared a climate emergency, but this is not enough. We want the
Government to call a climate emergency. We want UN countries to
agree to stricter terms than the Paris agreement. We want carbon
emissions slashed, along with investment in fracking. Staying in
school helps nobody. To quote many placards held at the strike:
“We’re missing our lessons to teach you one.” We don’t feel our
education is giving us sufficient knowledge to tackle climate change.
The youth are the future. How are we supposed to bring about change
if we aren’t given the tools? Climate change is not taught in school as
an emergency, it’s just another interesting fact about the world. If the
government wants children to stay in school they should be sure to
educate them on the issues that will affect students – issues that their
generation has caused.
Of course it’s very easy as an adult to say that we’re just children
bunking off school; that we’re kids looking for an excuse to miss
lessons who don’t actually care about the issues. If that were the case
the climate strike movement would not be international. There would
not be placards filling Bonn Square for the second time in just over a
month. There would not be children as young as eleven passionately
giving speeches with one simple message: “if you won’t stand up for
our Earth, then we will.” In many ways it’s quite poetic that, in the age
of huge blockbuster superhero
movies, young people in Oxford
are working to save the world.
It’s belittling and somewhat
ignorant to suggest that because
young people are young they
can’t enact change.
Gandhi said we should be the
change we wished to see in the
world, and that is what we are
doing. We are taking action so
the Government can recognise
our valid and pressing worries,
so our future is bright and clean
in years to come.
Charlotte Czernuszka, Trixie
Panatti-Reeve, William Evans
& Lulu Panatti-Reeve (students
at Matthew Arnold School)
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OUR COVER PICTURE SHOWS AN IMAGE OF THE
PROGRESS OF THE SHOPPING CENTRE. How are yours
coming along? Keep sending them in to the Sprout, and we’ll
publish the best and make an archive of them all.
North Hinksey Parish Council
By the time this goes to press, North Hinksey Parish Council will be
winding down its current term in anticipation of the local elections
on Thursday 2nd May. The Annual Parish Meeting on 21st March
gave us the opportunity to reflect on this council’s work, and to look
ahead to what awaits the new council (see page 28).
Key actions undertaken by the current council include:
Supporting the formation of Botley Bridges family services when
Children’s Centres were closed throughout Oxfordshire
Creating an NHPC Facebook page and launching a new NHPC
website
Securing a new bus shelter for Lime Road
Supporting the relocation of Seacourt Hall to its current premises,
and working with developers towards the smooth completion of
the West Way development
Hosting the annual Remembrance Day service at Botley
Cemetery and Commonwealth War Graves, with a particularly
well-attended centenary service in 2018
Supporting the completion of a Neighbourhood Plan and its
submission for independent examination
Working with neighbouring parish councils to resist the Oxford
Cambridge Expressway
Installing new play equipment in the upper Louie Memorial
Playing Field
Planning for a new Louie Memorial Pavilion building and
surrounding facilities
The most recent step towards the rejuvenation of the Louie Memorial
Playing Fields was NHPC’s approval in March of a planning
application for a new multi-use
building to replace the current
pavilion and scout hut. The
plans were displayed at the
Annual Parish Meeting, and
copies are available for viewing
at the parish office (2nd floor,
Grant Thornton building) and at
Botley Library. Vale of White
Horse District Council will now
run a formal public consultation while -
the planning application is being considered. All of the planning
documents and information on how everyone can submit their
comments to Vale planning officers are available on the Louie
Memorial page of the NHPC website: https://northhinksey-
pc.gov.uk/recreation-amenities-committee/louie memorial/ Check the
website for details of when the Vale’s consultation period opens and
closes.
NHPC thanks all who have engaged with our work over the past four
years. If you are interested in joining the parish council for its next
term, we encourage you to put yourself forward for election. The
deadline for receipt of nominations is Wednesday 3rd April at 4pm.
You can find all the information about voting or standing in the May
election on the district council website:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/ local-
democracy/elections-0 or check the Elections and Staffing page on
the NHPC website at www.northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
Colin Ryde, Clerk, on behalf of the Parish Council
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pancakes and Prosthetics
Shrove Tuesday had to be marked so 2nd
Botley Brownies got out our portable mini
cooker. Mr Tawny kindly came and
cooked us pancakes on it. Whilst it is
fantastic (and a freebie from saving loads
of Sainsbury’s supermarket vouchers) it is
a little slow to cook pancakes on, so he
continued cooking throughout the
evening, filling the hall with the gorgeous
smell of pancakes, lemon and sugar
whilst we did many other things including
paper pancake racing (see photo).
The following week as part of the New
Brownie Programme, we had James, a Brownie dad, come to our
Brownie meeting to discuss his job. We started guessing what he did
for a living with ’Twenty Questions’. We failed miserably, although we
did establish that he didn’t wear a uniform and that his company made
things. Finally, from some large cardboard boxes under a table and
disguised with a fabric covering, he
produced items one-by-one made by his
company that he had assembled just for
our talk: Prosthetics – and each item was
lovingly admired and passed from one girl
to the next. The detail was incredible –
they really do look just like the real thing.
They are just so convincing, and clearly
made by people with a passion for
authenticity – look closely at this Brownie!
There was everything from a tiny false toe
to a lower limb. Then he moved onto
functioning limbs – some with
interchangeable ends depending on your hobbies. The girls took it all
in their stride, and although it’s a great shame that they are needed
at all, the pride with which they are fabricated came across in the
finished products. James’s job is to ensure that his company
continues producing exceptional quality products but also innovates
with new technology like phone apps. What a brilliant place to work!
Lucy Howes
4th Oxford Scout Group and the New Pavilion
There is great excitement about the plans for a new pavilion, and
publicity from the Parish Council has portrayed the project as having
the backing of the 4th Oxford Scout Group. This is no longer correct,
and we wish to explain why we have decided we must object to the
planning application.
The 4th Oxford are a large and thriving scout group, with a
membership of 86 young people involved at evening sessions every
week, with activities and camps at week-ends and during school
holidays. There is a team of leaders and helpers, a group scout leader
and an exec committee (the trustees of the charity). All those involved
in the group are volunteers, and parents help regularly at sessions
too. Demand for scouting in the area is greater than ever, and we are
exploring adding additional nights to meet this.
For the best part of 80 years our group has enjoyed a fantastic home
on the Louie Memorial Field which, like most scout groups, has
afforded us the ability to operate at very low running costs, providing
scouting to all.
The scout group is only viable because of the community support we
receive. We benefit from a lease of land, rent free, on which we have
the scout hut. We use the hut most evenings in a week, and during
the day for preparations for activities and camps, and for drying our
many tents (several of which are very large). Repairs to the hut are
done by volunteers, and often with donations of materials. The hut is
available to the community and has been hired for various events.
We are also supported through fundraising for e.g. our Christmas
raffle and an annual sponsored walk. Leaders and parents contribute
many hours of their precious time throughout the year – we arrange
activities around our volunteers’ other commitments.
Discussions about the possibility of a new pavilion have been ongoing
for many years. Whilst discussing the possibility that this would also
replace the scout hut, we were assured that a new building would be
a like-for-like replacement of our hut, that it would be affordable, and
that we would have the priority access we need if we are to continue
to thrive.
After the public consultation in April 2018 we realised that we would
be competing against others for use of the new building, and either
the scout group would dominate evening use, or we would have our
current activities and future potential restricted. We explained this to
the Parish Council in early May 2018 and told them that we wanted
to keep our hut. We were told that this was not an option, and that we
would get what we needed in the new pavilion design. We continued
discussions on the express understanding that keeping the scout hut
is our best option.
By late November 2018, it was clear to us that it would be impossible
for the scout group to exist at all under the Parish Council’s plans,
and that we could not agree to their proposals. The business plan for
the new pavilion requires us to pay almost all our membership fees to
hire the hall. Currently we spend 20–25% of our income for utilities,
about 40% on activities and about 40% has be paid to the Scout
Association to cover insurance and local and national services. The
council then suggested we should pay up to 60% of our current
income, which would leave nothing for our main activities. As our
numbers are cyclical, when our numbers inevitably reduce, the hire
would become even more unaffordable. We are also expected to
reduce the number of nights we hold meetings and shorten sessions
to fit two sections into one evening, which drastically changes what
we can do, and fewer leaders will be available. The plan itself does
not provide us with the separate break-out room or appropriate
storage for our kit. There are other significant difficulties, but we
should keep this brief. We have also not been offered the long-term
security we get from an actual lease of a building.
In December 2018 we wrote a long and detailed letter to the Parish
Council explaining why it would be impossible for the scout group to
use the pavilion under their proposals. We asked them to reconsider
and vote to continue with the new pavilion but leave the scout hut in
place. We are keen to see the pavilion redeveloped, and the buildings
could easily co-exist. At the meeting, after a relatively short
discussion, the council voted to continue with the existing plans to
demolish the scout hut. In the three months from 20 December no
one from the council has responded to our letter to tell us how the
new pavilion could be viable for us. We told the council in January
2019 that we would have to object to the planning application.
It is difficult to understand why the Parish Council is taking this
approach. We can’t agree to pay sums we can never generate, or to
artificially reduce what we do, and we have to ensure the group
continues to thrive. We have to object to the planning application
because it does not provide for the survival of the scout group. We
have started the process to find a site to build a new scout hut,
although it seems wrong that we should incur this cost when our
existing scout hut could be renovated at a much lower cost. Raising
the extra funds will not be easy.
As the executive committee of the 4th Oxford Scout Group we are
trustees of a charity who must find the best long-term solution for the
group. The plans do not provide us with what is required to run our
scout group effectively, and the cost is unaffordable, which is why we
will be objecting to the planning application.
The Exec Committee of the 4th Oxford Scout Group
Eynsham Bike Path Sidelined
We were shocked to learn on 20th March that the County Council had
just dropped the Botley–Eynsham bike path from their funding bid. It
was part of the A40 improvement programme, and quite how they
could think that losing the sustainability component would make their
bid more attractive in the current climate is anybody’s guess. Here’s
what BikeSafe have to say about it:
“The campaign has run for 7 years so far
For seven years we have been campaigning for the B4044 path to be
built. Last year, following pressure from the County Cycling
Champion, Cllr Dr Suzanne Bartington, the path was incorporated
into the A40 Improvement Scheme plans which will be submitted to
central government in the next few days in a bid for funds. The
inclusion of the path gave the OCC plans a sustainable transport
component, essential to this type of new road planning.
“OCC announce that they will not include the B4044 path
Last Friday Oxfordshire County Council announced that they were
going to cut out the B4044 path part of the bid on the grounds that
this component weakens their
case for the A40 Improvement
which amounts to a dual
carriageway and retention of the
existing cycle and footways.
That is they are taking away the
pollution-lowering part of the bid
to strengthen their plans for a
dual carriageway and all the
additional traffic congestion this
will produce both on the A40 and
the B4044.
Specifically they say that they
could not claim that the B4044
path would “unlock new homes”
“No prior warning given
They did not give any warning
of this decision to their Cycling
Champion, nor to BikeSafe, nor
to the Oxfordshire Cycling
Network. It was just announced as a fact.
We have been given no time to respond. We think this is a betrayal
of all the work BikeSafe has done and paid for and shared with the
OCC at no cost to them. It is a betrayal of your unstinting support for
the B4044 path and of the public generally, who were asked last
December to see the plans at the public consultation. It is a betrayal
of all 3 MPs in our area, the county councillors and countless district
and parish councillors who support the B4044 path.
It is also very bad news for businesses in Witney, Eynsham and
Botley who all want to see the B4044 community path built because
it helps their employees travel and be fit too.”
In response, Councillor Hudspeth has reaffirmed his support for the
B4044 Bike Path. It was taken off the funding bid because that was
primarily for housing infrastructure. But what’s gone wrong when
improving the traffic flow on the A40 has to be promoted as a housing
issue? It doesn’t make sense! The Housing Infrastructure Fund is
supposed to unlock infrastructure for housing, but it sounds like this
bid would help to unlock car-based development, not the kind of
sustainable development that is needed in Oxfordshire.
Ag MacKeith
Annual Parish Meeting
North Hinksey’s Annual Parish Meeting took place on the night of the
Spring equinox – 21st March. This is really too late for the Sprout copy
deadline (15th) but here’s a speedy account squeezed in at the last
moment.
The meeting was well attended – not packed, as such meetings are
when the locals are riled up about something, but with about 40
members of the public present. There were five sections:
a presentation from SDC, the builders of the new shopping centre
an account of the implications of the Expressway
an explanation of the plans and thinking behind the new pavilion
a presentation by Adi Wright, our local policeman (in as far as we
have one) and
questions sent directly to the parish council from the public.
On the chairs was a fat document with last year’s minutes, reports
from all the PC committees, and written answers to the public’s
questions. There was also a Financial Statement for 2017, supplied
by the new Clerk, Colin Ryde, from the sea of paperwork. (You can
find the current statement on the NHPC website.)
SDC and the shopping centre
While we waited, SDC answered questions about parking. They use
the Park & Ride, and are laying on a shuttle bus to bring workers to
the site. We need a prominent sign saying BADLY PARKED? – CALL
THIS NUMBER so we know who to call if things get out of hand. The
mild winter has meant they are ahead of the game: groundwork for
the section on the Baptist Chapel site is nearly completed and the
Premier Inn will start to go up, floor by floor at the start of April. The
student accommodation should be finished by the start of August, so
students can move in for the Autumn term. SDC can organize site
tours if people want them. The pedestrian crossing work will be done
in April and should take two weeks. Local school kids have had fun
naming the tower cranes. North Hinksey school called TC1 ‘Betsy’,
and Botley went for ‘Ucrane Bolt’ for TC2. The section which now
houses the Co-op and Tesco won’t be demolished until their new
homes are ready. This last section will all be living space.
Oxbridge Expressway
David Kay, the PC chair, described how this had been imposed
without any prior consultation, and showed an aerial view which made
very clear why it would be disastrous to widen the A34 through Botley.
This and the climate emergency are why the parish council has joined
the Anti-Expressway Alliance, which so far includes some 20 parish
councils stretching up to the M40 at Bicester. In fact, the road is not a
transport solution but a housing opportunity. It would double the
population of Oxfordshire. The railway option is the one that would
address transport issues. The line is already there as far as Milton
Keynes – just in need of electrification, freight provision and a more
realistic budget. The problem is at the Cambridge end, where houses
have been built on it.
Pavilion planning application
These will shortly be sent in to the Vale, who will then organize the
public consultation. This will be a further chance for people to
comment. She drew attention to some anonymous leaflets which had
been circulated, distorting the facts to give a false picture. The
footprint of the new pavilion is slightly bigger than the scout hut and
old pavilion combined, but it is still only 0.6% of the entire green
space. No public money – no money at all!– is being spent on evicting
the Scouts from their hut. The PC is still intent on reaching agreement.
Police issues
Adi Wright, our local policeman, delighted the room with his upbeat
presentation and his stunning sideburns. There has been a string of
shed thefts, and he urged us to contact the police and get our power
tools marked with Smartwater, etc. There have also been some
burglaries – thieves are no longer interested in laptops and TVs, what
they are after is gold and cash in any currency. Also car keys. Smart
keys for smart cars left near the front door can be intercepted from
outside, though there are ways of preventing this. (Expect to see
some future advice in the Sprout.) Scams are also a problem, usually
by phone or email. There’s a phone one going round that pretends to
be from BT (mutters of agreement from the audience). If it comes to
you, hang up and tell Action Fraud (phone 0300 123 2040). He
explained that the police have been told to take no action on parking
issues unless the parking is actually a hazard to other road users.
And when challenged to provide local news to local newsletters like
this one, he said he would do his best to keep us informed in future,
and to book Have Your Say surgeries far enough ahead for us to
promote them.
Most of the public were happy with the written answers to their
questions, so the meeting closed at around 9.30. AgM
Army Cadets
What have Botley/Oxpens Detachment Army Cadets been up to?
Casting our minds back to a very hot summer in 2018, the detachment
had a great time at West Oxford
Community Fun Day. The cadets took
part in the activities put on by other
organisations as well as staging our
own. We arranged a problem-solving
and teamwork exercise, which
involved trying to remove a box of vital
supplies from a minefield (only
hypothetical!) using just a rope, tent
pegs, duct tape, some climbing
carabiners and a heathy amount of
ingenuity. By all accounts the cadets
had a fun day and so did the general
public
The summer also held the culmination of the cadet calendar, our two-
week-long annual camp. Here, the cadets get up to all sorts of
activities. The first week is all about living outside, sleeping under the
stars and running around getting muddy and dirty, coupled with
shooting, military training and fieldcraft. The second week is taken up
with active pursuits such as archery, climbing, mountain biking and
paddling, to name just a few.
Summer very quickly turns into Autumn and the new school year, and
our preparations for Remembrance
Sunday. This year was important as it
was the centenary of the end of the First
World War. Oxpens/Botley Detachment
did two parades. The first was at the
poignant Commonwealth War graves
service in Botley. We then hot footed it
to Christ Church Cathedral where we
joined cadet organisations from all
around Oxfordshire for a special
commemorative service. Cadet Corporal
Williams had the honour of reading a
poem and did a great job, even if she
was a bit daunted by the task.
The detachment ended the year with a break from normal cadet
training for our annual Christmas party. This included all your favourite
Christmas party elements: bad jumpers, silly hats, finger food and a
plethora of classic games like Articulate and Pictionary.
If the Army Cadets sounds like something you or someone you know
(aged 13–18) would enjoy www.armycadets.com/county/oxfordshire-
acf/ is our website where you can find out more, or you can email me
at 2038thomps@armymail.mod.uk Mark Thompson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Musical Notes
Tap Social Movement, the social enterprise pub, brewery and cafe on
Curtis Industrial Estate have just added another string to their bow by
becoming a fully kitted-out live music venue. A brand new stage and PA
have been put together through a collaboration between Tandem
Collective (a non-profit arts collective), Upcycled Sounds (local recording
studio/record label) and WeGotTickets (locally based ticket platform).
The groups to put the venue together in their spare time to support the
local music and arts scene at a time where many independent venues
are struggling. The Cellar closed last month after several decades of
hosting gigs, and the Wheatsheaf is also facing pressures. The Tap has
a lot of potential as a venue with few noise restrictions, a large capacity
and easy access for band equipment, plus all gigs help support their
amazing work with ex-offenders.
The new stage has already hosted gigs from a 15 piece jazz orchestra
to reggae, talks and a theatre production. “We’re extremely excited to be
collaborating with Tandem Collective and Upcycled Sounds to welcome
this new monthly concert series to Oxford’s music scene ... huge thanks
to Tandem and Upcycled Sounds for getting us involved and facilitating
the stage and PA system,” enthused the Tap Team.
Upcycled Sounds and Tandem Collective have been running a monthly
gig series since the stage opened, featuring a range of local and
nationally acclaimed bands. Their next two gigs bring soul, jazz and folk
acts to Tap, which have been featured by BBC Radio 3, The Times, the
Guardian and graced stages from WOMAD to the V & A. They are:
Hejira + Fran & Flora, Wednesday 10th April, 7.15pm, and
Firefly Burning + Iyatra Quartet (in partnership with Oxford
Contemporary Music), Wednesday 5th June, 7.30pm.
Advanced tickets are £8 from www.tandemfestival.com, under
'Events'. Hannah Jacobs
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P19/V0368/HH
38 Hutchcomb Rd. 2-storey rear
extension and front porch
extension.
11 February
TDD: 8 April
P19/V0387/LDP
56 North Hinksey Lane. Single
storey extension.
11 February
TDD: 8 April
P19/V0397/N1A
P19/V0373/FUL
Riverside Court, 9 West Way.
Convert existing offices to 34
apartments. Re-clad existing
building, alter doors and windows.
Raise roof.
12 February
TDD: 9 April
15 February
TDD: 12 April
P19/V0410/FUL
1 Maple Close. Change of use to 7
bedroom HMO property.
15 February
TDD: 12 April
P19/V0253/FUL
Ideal Eyes 76 West Way. Renewal
of planning application. Convert
ground floor space to residential
use. Remove garage for parking.
19 February
TDD: 16 April
P19/V0451/FUL
P19/V0448/HH
Thatched House Stanton Road.
Demolish existing dwelling,
outdoor sheds, car port. Erect new
house with indoor pool and
garage.
21 and 22
February
TDD: 18 April
P19/V0474/PDH
56 Cedar Road. Demolish existing
outbuilding & proposed rear
extension.
22 February
TDD: 5 April
P19/V0529/FUL
Seacourt Tower, Homebase Ltd.
Refurbish building including
external alterations, new entrance
lobby, reconfigure car parking.
28 February
TDD: 25 April
P19/V0556/PDH
P19/V0547/LDP
9 Beech Rd. Single storey rear
kitchen/dining extension.
Convert roof space.
1 March
TDD: 12April
4 March
TDD: 29 April
P19/V0455/FUL
32 Lime Rd. Change of use of
residential outbuilding to mixed
ancillary residential use & short-let
accommodation.
6 March
TDD: 1 May
P19/V0538/FUL
75 Laburnum Rd. Partially
demolish and alter interior to make
four 2-bed flats with 4 parking
places.
13 March
TDD: 8 May
Roger Ainsworth (1951-2019)
The Sprout is sorry to report the death of a
distinguished North Hinksey resident on 23rd
February: Professor Roger Ainsworth, Master of
St Catherine’s College. He died after a short
battle with cancer. He was often to be seen on his
bike on Willow Walk, while his black E-type
Jaguar and unfinished boat project sat under the
walnut tree outside his house beside the church
in North Hinksey Lane.
Roger became Tutorial Fellow in Engineering at St Catherine’s in
1985, having worked for ten years in industry at Rolls-Royce and then
at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, and
became Master of the College in 2002.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2004,
in recognition of his work in the field of jet engine research, and in
2017 he became a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, a
distinction which acknowledged his academic excellence in the
subject of mechanical engineering. In honour of his work promoting
the College’s connection with Denmark, Roger was appointed a
Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by HM The Queen of Denmark
in 2005.
Roger played a number of major roles in the University. In his capacity
as Pro-Vice-Chancellor from 2003 onwards, he served as chair of the
University’s Building Committee, where, over 13 years, he oversaw a
£750 million building programme. But he always felt that the most
important part of his work – and the aspect that he enjoyed the most
– was interacting with and encouraging the students.
The Vice Master, Professor Penny Handford, said that the whole
college community “valued his loyal friendship, his outstanding
leadership, and his contribution to the advancement of St Catherine’s
College”, while the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor
Louise Richardson, said: “Oxford has lost its longest serving head of
house, a deeply committed University citizen and a widely respected
academic. The speed of Roger’s illness and death has caused a deep
sense of shock and sadness across the university. His wife, Sarah,
and children Tom, Emily and Harriet are very much in our thoughts.”
With thanks to Chris Sugden
Nature Notes
Spring seems to have arrived early this year. Already snowdrops and
crocuses are nearly over and the tiny white blossoms of wild plum
(Prunus domestica), always first in Spring, can be seen. Look out for
the small yellow fruit later in the year. Along Willow Walk, passers-by
heard the distinctive rattle of a spotted woodpecker. Grey squirrels
are everywhere. Tiny Muntjac deer, easily mistaken for a dog, are
regular visitors to the hedgerows now, and often you can spot them
before they spot you. Harder to see, but more spectacular are the big
roe deer, alone or in groups, making a dash across the fields with
those distinctive white tufts on their hindquarters. Heron fish all year
round in the Hinksey Stream, patiently waiting in ambush or suddenly
leaping into the air with a spectacular flash of grey wings. Visitors to
the Fishes at this time of year may be lucky enough to spot the huge
buzzard which regularly perches on the nearby willows. The warm
weather has encouraged many walkers into the fields, where it is easy
to spot a kestrel in its distinctive hover. After being cooped-up indoors
for the last few months, it’s good to be outside again.
Rod Chalk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Citizens Advice boosts help for UC claimants
Citizens Advice now offers a new service to help speed things up if
you are having problems with claiming Universal Credit for the first
time. The "Help to Claim" service will be available over the phone,
face to face, and online through “webchat” and Internet content, from
1st April.
They can advise on eligibility, set up an email address or Universal
Credit account, fill in the initial application form, get access to a
computer, or arrange advance payments. They can also help make
sure that the right evidence is submitted with your form. And if you
only need minimal help with your application, Citizens Advice can
provide tips if you get stuck.They also support people who are already
receiving Universal Credit.
The national Freephone number for Help to Claim is 0800 144 8444.
Phone and webchat services are available from 8am–6pm. (Mon-Fri)
For any other issues you might need help with, please telephone the
Adviceline on 03 444 111 444. If you’d prefer to talk face to face, the
office at 95 St Aldates is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.
Randoms
WaterBlitz
You can now register to take part in the 8th Earthwatch WaterBlitz.
This happens twice a year, and will take place around the weekend
after Easter, 26th to 29th April. What happens? Hundreds of
volunteers, using the kit supplied, test local ponds, lakes, ditches,
springs, streams and rivers for phosphates and nitrates. The tests are
quick and easy to use, and coverage by volunteers is much wider
than Thames Water could carry out on their own. It’s a chance for all
of us who care about the environment to make sure key pollution
sources are identified, as well as clean water spots that act as refuges
for some of our special wildlife that’s more sensitive to water quality,
such as the beautiful but rare fen violet.
You will need to register before 21st April to allow time for testing kits
to be posted. Register here and get your free Freshwater Watch kit:
https://freshwaterwatch.thewaterhub.org/group/thames-blitz
If you are interested in seeing the data collected during previous
WaterBlitz events and getting to know more about your local
freshwater environment, take a look at the Freshwater Links platform:
https://freshwaterlinks.org
Bluebell Teas
Here’s another Spring event to look forward to. During May
Besselsleigh Wood is filled with a glorious carpet of bluebells On
Sunday 5th May, 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm, tea and homemade cake will be
served at St Laurence Church in Appleton. Everyone is welcome to
call in for refreshments. Contact Carol Dodimead for further details on
07767 796071
Big Clean Up
This massive communal exercise of citizenship took place in and
around Oxford on the first weekend in March. The Old Botley posse
cleared up around McDonalds down to the Cemetery, including the
stream along the town end of North Hinksey Lane, which harboured
bottles and empty cans in bags! You can’t help wondering why
someone should have gone to the trouble of collecting and bagging
them, only to throw them into the brambles – but I suppose it’s rather
like clearing up after your dog and then lobbing the little black bag into
a tree, where it can hang till kingdom come! I’m told there were other
collective efforts on Elms Rise and in the Seacourt Nature reserve,
but no photos have been received, so you will just have to imagine
them. One good effect is that having spent a couple of hours making
the place clean for once, I now find it hard to pass by without picking
up any fresh sweet wrappers and plastic rubbish as they appear.
Word got back to me that people were out looking for teams to join,
and would like something more organized next year. If this was you,
get in touch and we can get something going.
Community Fridge
The Fridge celebrated its second birthday on 16th March, with a cake
and lots of pats on the back. All praise to Riki Therivel, whose
brainchild it is, and whose constant care holds it all together. It is now
part of a new CAG called Food for Charities, with Riki in the chair,
Grant Nightingale as secretary and Hannah Fenton as treasurer.
Here’s a photo of the happy occasion.
Parish Council Elections
The new parish council will be elected on 2nd May. We will do our
level best to get the May Sprout through your doors before then, with
a list of all the candidates, but it will be a major effort to get out a week
early, with Easter in the way, so we aren’t promising. Deliverers,
please take note and rush the May edition out as fast as you can!
Bust Stops on the A34
Highways England are removing the three bus stops on the stretch
between North Hinksey Lane and Westminster Way. Highways
England are also responsible for the Stanley Close underpass,
although they take no interest in it. Is it time to persuade them to
refurbish it, put in accessibility ramps, refresh the mural, etc?
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details to
editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Baby & Toddler Group
Badminton Club
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Botley Health Walks
Botley Library
Botley Singers
Branches Café, Westway
Place, Open to All 8am-3pm,
Community Fridge
Cumnor Choral Society
Cumnor Chess Club
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Cumnor Gardening Club
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Hill End Volunteer Team
Let’s Sing! – singing group
Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare Clubs
N Hinksey Art Group
N Hinksey Bellringers
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
N Hinksey, Friends of
N Hinksey Horticultural Soc
N Hinksey Parish Council
N Hinksey Youth Club
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Oxford Flood Alliance
Oxfd Flower Arranging Club
Oxford Otters
Oxford Rugby Club
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Parkinson’s Disease Soc
Raleigh Park, Friends of
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Seacourt Hall management
committee
Shotokan Karate club
Weight Watchers
West Oxford Bowls Club
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
West Oxford U3A
West Way Day Centre
Women’s Institute (Botley)